Birthplace of Punk Rock

Misfits and artists once roamed the streets of this Manhattan neighborhood where the punk rock music movement was born. The East Village has grown up a little over the years, but visitors can still experience its unique heritage.

Stroll St. Mark’s Place (8th Street), between 6th and 3rd Avenue to cross paths with its colorful history. Visit the Gem Spa, the original creator of the egg cream and a popular beatnik meeting spot. Find the holy grail of comics at St. Mark’s Comics. Get lost among the combat boots, studded jewelry, and band tees at Trash and Vaudeville, the official wellspring of punk rock style inspiration.

Music is the heartbeat of the East Village, where the Ramones, Patti Smith and Blondie once called CBGB their second homes. Nowadays, experience music at PDT (Please Don’t Tell) a speakeasy where you enter through a phone booth in a hot dog restaurant, or Joe’s Pub, a cabaret venue at the Public Theater. Of course, you’ll need a full stomach to fuel your adventures. Local eats are part of the fabric of the neighborhood. Start the day with breakfast at Café Mogador, then get a grilled cheese from the shoe box-sized kosher dairy restaurant B+H. End your day at Russo’s Mozzarella and Pasta where you won’t be judged if you make their mozzarella your entire meal.